| Date | Hare | Scribe |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Apr 2023 | Niki & Brian | Ainslie |
A good crowd of hashers gathered in the car park of the Kingsdown Inn, Arkell’s flagship pub opposite the brewery, to be warmly welcomed by first time hares Niki and Brian. Niki explained that since their last recce, someone had snuck in and closed off a path so that the same path would be used out and back in. Potentially confusing but nothing KVH3 hashers couldn’t deal with.
The runners were warned to expect an especially muddy field, so decision made for me – it had to be the short. The last time we hashed from this pub was in February 2018 (533) when Simon & I laid the trail and I can remember it was seriously muddy, so no change there. Maurice, the scribe on that occasion even felt it appropriate to include the song ‘Mud glorious mud’ in his Mag. However on the positive side, no other hazards, no hills and NO stiles.
Along the main road and left into Stratton Wood, through fields strewn with wild cowslips, then onto the old Swindon to Highworth railway line which divides Stratton Wood and Stanton Park and is now used as a path.
The short trail gave us a scenic view across the lake to Stanton House Hotel before heading back in through some lovely muddy woods. This is where Annie pointed out the ‘dead fence’ in the photo. I’d heard of ‘living fences’ but hadn’t realised that fences could also be dead, so I learnt something today.
By now, Simon, Annie and I were the back markers but had lost sight of the walkers up ahead. How welcome then when the runners caught up with us, followed by Caroline and Niki rounding up the stragglers.
Back along the railway path again and into Stratton Wood where we managed to go off trail, but happily knew the woods well enough to make our way back to the pub before 1pm. Not so lucky for Soma though, who although ahead of us for most of the trail, arrived back to the pub about 2 hours after the start, happily safe & sound but on her own.
This was a particularly sociable trail for dogs – Kiri must have said hello to the 30 or so cavashons enjoying a Sunday outing to Swindon. Something else I learnt on this hash – the cavashon is a ‘hybrid’ dog – a cross between a cavalier king charles spaniel and a bichon frise.
Kevin welcomed everyone back to the pub where a very convivial aprés was enjoyed in the back room. At the previous Kingsdown hash, Maurice had complained that Guinness wasn’t served at the bar, and that the landlady promised free pints on the house when Guinness was restored. Did that ever happen?? This time ‘Coronation Ale’ was available to celebrate the forthcoming coronation of King Charles III next Saturday. I’m told it’s a traditional ale – drinkable but not exciting.
Thank you Niki and Brian for your generous use of flour and a well laid trail in a lovely area right on Swindon’s doorstep. May you lay many more.
